Reported By Mary Udezue | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Abuja, Nigeria — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly demanded the immediate and unconditional release of Abubakar Salim Musa, a social media critic recently detained by Nigerian authorities, and issued a broad condemnation of what he describes as a pattern of repression under the President Bola Tinubu administration.
Atiku’s call comes in response to reports from Amnesty International Nigeria that Musa was arrested on January 11, 2026, apparently in connection with his online commentary on the country’s security situation. According to Amnesty’s statement, Musa was taken into custody without clear charges and was remanded in Keffi Prison ahead of what the rights organisation characterised as plans for a “sham trial” on bogus charges.
In a statement shared on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on January 12, Atiku said Musa’s detention was unjustified and amounted to an infringement on fundamental freedoms, asserting that the young critic’s only “offence” was his consistent and legitimate criticism of the deteriorating security situation in Northern Nigeria and across the country.
“This case is yet another stark example of the repressive nature of the President Bola Tinubu administration, which continues to bare its fangs against dissent, whether expressed through public protests or online criticism,” Atiku said, in remarks echoed across multiple national media outlets. He argued that the conduct illustrated a growing intolerance for dissent and freedom of expression under the current government.
Atiku went on to describe Musa’s arrest as part of a wider trend in which journalists, students, entertainers and even National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members allegedly face harassment, assault, intimidation or detention for criticising government officials or policies. He warned that such measures undermine democratic foundations, cautioning that Nigeria could not claim to uphold democratic ideals if citizens are penalised for voicing dissenting views.
With general elections approaching, Atiku also voiced concern that a climate of fear and repression could stifle political participation and fair competition, adding urgency to his appeal for Musa’s release and an end to what he termed arbitrary arrests of critics. He called on the international community, including human rights organisations and democratic governments, to hold the Nigerian government accountable and urge respect for civil liberties.
Atiku further appealed to civil society groups and Nigerians of conscience to stand against what he described as an erosion of freedoms, urging collective action to defend constitutional rights and ensure an environment where divergent opinions are allowed space without fear of reprisal.
The former vice president’s comments mark a sharp critique of the administration’s handling of dissent and freedom of expression, and underscore broader public debates around governance, human rights and the rule of law in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
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